My Daily Struggle in the COVID-19 Lockdown

This was a very rough week. It seems that, no matter how much I learn certain lessons, I must always keep learning them. I learned that age and wisdom, or even age and maturity, don't necessary correlate. I have learned that, as Scripture says, people sing their songs and say their prayers, but they treat people as if they worship Satan. I guess this is the year that I must learn these, amongst other, lessons. But amongst me learning such lessons, I will teach lessons too!  I had to stand up for myself this week to someone. Whilst I cannot give details, I had to explain to someone who was talking behind my back that I know what they were saying, and I tried to make peace, but this person would not have it. He ranted about all he does for people and denied doing anything. He accused me of being a Christian hypocrite who cannot forgive. Well, that's all right. The Lord knows who I am, and He will answer those who hurt me. He will give me the strength to defend my honor and the wi...

 So, this has been quite a week. It started with the news that The Wife to get tested for COVID-19 because someone very reckless manager let a client stay in a room where my wife was volunteering. Fortunately, she came back negative, which is good news for both of us. That is still wrong of him. With all the nonsense going on, you do not let a person complaining of COVID-19 symptoms stay with others. That is just wrong, inconsiderate, and dangerous. Shame on him! Next, for those who know me best, I suffer from depression, and I take medication for it. For a while, I was off of it because I did not want to be dependent on medication anymore. Plus, I don't like the side effects. For a while, I was off of the medication, but I noticed my depression was worsening, and I could only focus on how difficult my life has been: financial problems for the past 4 years, disrespect at work, the death of my aunt, COVID-19, my paternal grandma getting COVID-19 and my old man not telling me about i...

Well, tomorrow, July 4th, is the big day. The day I turn, yes, 40. I plan to first, spend the morning walking and in prayer. I then will go to my mother's house for a cookout and maybe see fireworks later. And for those who do not know the story, I thought the fireworks were for me until I was 9 years old. There has been some talk in the African-American community about the 4th of July this year. I have heard some say to treat it like a regular day, some have said to wear black, and others are probably going to use this day to protest. In a way, I understand their concerns. Some are rooted in historical hypocrisies, and others insist that there are lessons America is too slow in learning. I remember the scene from Roots, in which Fiddler, Bell, and Kunta/Toby are in the kitchen talking about how the Americans won the War of Independence. When Bell marveled at how the local Whites had been celebrating and shouting about freedom being won, Fiddler, as a joke, replied, "Ain...

Today was very productive. I took a walk in the park even though it was hot, and I read from the Rule of St. Benedict. I read the chapter about the 12 steps to humility. So much is involved with this. Click here to learn them in detail.  What struck me most, especially with all that is transpiring, is making myself inferior to all. In that same light, I am expected to be obedient even in the face of injustice. Maybe I am not reading that correctly. I know that I am to offer the other cheek when one is struck, but I only have two cheeks. Surely I am not expected to deny my humanity too, for the sake of humility.  When I came home, I saw that the Reverend Father wrote back. He said that he received my messages and will get back to me once he could compose a "comprehensive response." People of faith, please pray that he will allow my period of discernment to begin very soon.  Later today, I met with my Bible study group, and I gave them the news: I plan to transfer to...

Today was an okay day. I had a meeting at church with a few anonymous members of the congregation about why a comrade and I were resigning as elders of the church I currently attend. Well, let's just say that it was almost exactly how I anticipated. Let's just say that there was behavior of some Christians that was not very Christ-like. Let's just say that I received more reminders of how age and maturity are not always parallel. Let's just say that this particular congregation, as a few of them keep drilling holes in a sinking ship, has only a about 2-3 years, tops, before they shut their doors. Let's just say that people like those I have mentioned are part of the reason why churches close and their children and grandchildren abandon the faith. Hence, let's just say, or rather sing, the following parody: You treat people like roaches, you treat people like tools You treat people like roaches, you treat people like tools And you think you're the Savi...

Today was a peaceful day for me. I went to my Sunday job, bought groceries, and did some barbecuing. I also made an important decision today. After much prayer and many knots in my stomach, I finally made a decision to give something else. While I cannot say what I am giving up, I finally feel relaxed and at peace with my decision. Giving up something important to me is never easy, but I try hard to be a gentleman, and a gentleman always knows when to leave. So, that is all for the peaceful news. Now let us return to the violence because that is just want happened in Atlanta today. Rayshard Brooks was drinking and driving, and he decided to sleep it off in a Wendy's drive-thru. The police were called, and they made him take a sobriety test. When he failed, they tried to arrest him, but he starting fighting them. Somehow, he managed to take a taser away from the officer and started running. He then turned and pointed the taser at the officer, who then fired three times, killing Br...